The count of open, unfilled jobs for the overall economy increased in December, rising to 11 million, the highest level since July. This was a surprise rise, as noted by many analysts, particularly given a growing chorus of corporate hiring freezes and job cuts. For now, the December data appears to be more noise than signal, although certainly that conclusion… Read More ›

Private residential construction spending declined 0.3% in December 2022, as spending on single-family construction dropped 2.3% amid higher mortgage rates. Private residential construction spending fell for the seventh consecutive month, standing at an annual pace of $857 billion. However, this total remains 1.7% higher compared to a year ago. The monthly decline is largely attributed to lower spending on single-family… Read More ›

An earlier post revealed that 65% of buyers who were actively engaged in the process of finding a home in the fourth quarter of 2022 have spent 3+ months searching for a home without success. The inability to find an affordable home (45%) is the most common reason buyers looking for 3+ months can’t make a purchase.  In second place… Read More ›

Buyers’ outlook for housing affordability took a sharp negative turn in the final quarter of 2022, when a record high of 87% reported being able to afford fewer than 50% of the homes for-sale in their markets.  The remaining 13% can afford the majority of homes available, less than half the 31% who could in the third quarter. Affordability expectations… Read More ›

NAHB’s analysis of headship rates from the latest 2021 American Community Survey (ACS) reveals that the Covid-19 pandemic unlocked some pent-up housing demand, especially among young adults ages 25 to 34. The pandemic-heightened desire for more spacious and independent living, as well as “excess” savings accumulated early in the lockdown stages of the pandemic, propelled headship rates of young adults… Read More ›